Three ego cards—just like the rumors said. The Joker is the only human who can use more than two ego cards." Avid furrowed his brow. He had always expected to see something extraordinary and beyond comprehension if he ever encountered the Joker. But now that it was happening, he felt both awed and deceived—as though this was just the tip of the iceberg.
"The Loan Shark, create a contract. Details: force an ego awakening in exchange for lifespan," the Joker commanded. The gray-suited banker smiled faintly and raised a hand to inscribe a contract onto parchment.
The Loan Shark turned toward Ejin, activating its power.
[Detected: Ego seed. Awakening success rate 100%. Cost: 1 bit-gold and 50 years of lifespan.] The Fluction system displayed the contract details for all to see. Both Ejin and Avid saw it—the power to awaken an ego at an unimaginable price: 50 years of Ejin's life.
"No, no! Let me go! I don't want to die—I want to live!" Ejin struggled desperately, but his body was tied to a wheelchair. There was no escape. For so long, Ejin had dreamed of having an ego—a key to a prosperous life as a miner. But not like this. Even with his desperation for an ego, he wouldn't trade away 50 years of his life. Humans in 2075 lived an average of 70 years. At Ejin's age, giving up 50 years would leave him with only two years to live. He couldn't accept it.
*I won't sign. No matter what, I can't sign,* Ejin thought, staring at the contract like it was poison. Contracts made through the Fluction system were binding immediately upon signature. However, if Ejin didn't sign, the Loan Shark's contract wouldn't activate.
*Forceful signing isn't recognized by the Fluction system, so the contract won't work anyway. The Joker must have a way to compel the boy to willingly sign,* Avid analyzed silently, his eyes shifting toward the other two ego entities. At that moment, the Godfather stepped forward, exerting its oppressive presence.
"The Godfather. Activate with one etherium coin as payment," the Joker instructed, tossing a coin into the air. The glowing coin disintegrated, merging into the Godfather's form.
The Godfather adjusted its hat and spoke, its voice commanding and overwhelming. "I'll make you an offer you can't refuse." It extended a pen toward Ejin, who felt a crushing weight press down on his very soul.
"Ahh... AARGH!" Ejin's body moved on its own, independent of his will. His hands, once bound to the wheelchair, were now free. They reached slowly for the pen the Godfather held out.
"The Godfather's ability forces the target to accept my offer if my asura energy exceeds theirs by fivefold. Your asura energy is far too low to resist. Alternatively, you could offer assets worth more than the contract's cost to nullify its effects. But sadly, you have no assets to your name," the Joker explained.
The Godfather's power wasn't meant for battle. Its terrifying strength lay in compelling others to accept terms, no matter how unfair. If Ejin had wealth or rare materials stored in the Fluction system, he could have used them to resist the Godfather's power. But he had nothing.
"No, no, no! Please don't do this! I just… I just want a future! I don't want to die! Someone help me! Palon, help me! Anyone!" Ejin's pleas were heart-wrenching. Tears streamed down his face as he wept uncontrollably, his voice trembling with desperation. It was the final cry of a cornered animal. While the contract wouldn't kill him immediately, it symbolized the death of his future.
*Without a future, you may as well be dead,* Avid thought grimly. He crossed his arms, avoiding Ejin's gaze.
*I'm sorry,* Avid apologized silently.
At that moment, the pen touched the contract's surface.
*My future. My dreams... Why? I just wanted a good life. To eat well, sleep soundly, have a nice room, and enjoy my days with Palon. To go on vacations, get married, and have kids. Was that too much to ask?*
*I didn't need to be a billionaire, a superstar, or a hero who saves the world. I just wanted to live like a normal human. Just a normal life.*
Ejin's existence in the new world had been that of an outcast. Poor, indebted, and uneducated, he was often scorned and bullied. Social credit scores barred him from intercity travel. His entire life, he'd been treated as less than human.
*Trash. Deadbeat. Second-class citizen. Worthless kid with no future.*
Palon had been his only light, pulling him out of despair and treating him like a person.
*Palon, I wanted to be your hero.*
Ejin's trembling hand signed the contract.
"Don't despair, Ejin Somas. I'll ensure your ego brings the greatest benefit to the new world," the Joker declared. The Loan Shark's contract activated the moment Ejin signed.
"AARGH!" Ejin's scream echoed, as though it were his final cry. Crimson asura energy erupted from his body, connecting his consciousness to the Fluction system.
[Congratulations. Ego awakening successful.]
"No! Not like this! No!" Ejin's asura energy surged uncontrollably, forming into a new entity. A massive, three-meter-tall crimson dragon with black scales and a demonic aura appeared. Its power was immense, even causing Avid to flinch.
*What incredible power!* Avid thought.
**Crimson Demon Dragon (Ace Diamond)**
[Legendary Card] [Type: Summon] [Development Potential: 2]
The Crimson Demon Dragon roared before merging back into Ejin's body. The boy, now drained of vitality, looked hollow. It was as if something vital had been ripped away forever.
"White Joker," the Joker commanded. The white clown figure stepped forward and punched Ejin. The first blow sent waves of agony through the boy, making him feel as though something was being torn from within.
BAM! BAM!
The White Joker landed two more punches, leaving Ejin unable to scream. He fought desperately to keep whatever was inside him from escaping, like choking back vomit.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
The relentless blows struck Ejin like machine gun fire. With the final punch, Ejin lost consciousness. A golden asura card emerged from his Fluction system, and the White Joker seized the Crimson Demon Dragon card.
The Joker deactivated all ego powers, staring at the card in his hand with an unreadable expression. Avid, watching, felt a deep sense of unease.
*Unbelievable. The ability to extract ego cards from others. So this is the Joker's secret.*
Avid had always wondered why the Joker ordered the abduction of children and young adults. Now he understood. The Joker wasn't interested in their lives but in their potential.
The Crimson Demon Dragon was a legendary card. If Ejin had retained it, his future as a six-star miner would have been assured. But the Joker had used the White Joker to steal it, robbing Ejin of his promising future.
*How many has he done this to? How many talents and futures has he stolen? How many ego cards does he have?* Avid couldn't comprehend the enormity of the Joker's power. The act of forcing an ego awakening, then stealing it, was inhumane. Even Avid, hardened as he was, shuddered at the Joker's cruelty.
Before the Joker, Avid was nothing more than an ordinary man. He couldn't challenge a monster who wielded over three ego entities. He knew that if he wasn't careful, his own Soaring Hopper could become the Joker's next target.
Avid noticed Ejin's hair turning snow white, with only faint traces of orange at the tips. The boy looked like a sixty-year-old man, his youthful face belying a body and spirit that were utterly spent.
*I'm sorry, Palon. I'm sorry. I'm no different from a dead man.*
The Joker adjusted his cloak, preparing to leave.
"Wait, Joker. We're not done here," Avid called.
"If you want my help, bring me ten children with potential," the Joker replied.
"!!" Avid's eyes widened at the demand. Ten children like Ejin? Children with latent power?
"You already know what I want."
"Of course. You're caring for a child afflicted with Asura Effect. Without my help, they'll die within a year."
"You… you really have been spying on me," Avid growled.
"I swear to God, I haven't. I simply know things. Don't be so paranoid. Someone like you doesn't require much effort to figure out. And I don't make a hobby of threatening children's lives."
"Ten kids… Ten children, huh?"
"Correct. I'll contact you with the details of who I need. Bring me ten, and I'll help your child."
"Trading one child's life for the futures of ten others, huh?" Avid laughed bitterly. He was an assassin, a killer who had taken countless lives. He was a criminal destined for hell. Yet there were lines he wouldn't cross.
"Sorry, but I can't do it. Find someone else. Maybe take my ego instead."
"Your ego means nothing to me. The Soaring Hopper is dangerous because of you, not because it's inherently powerful. From my perspective, it's worthless. However, if you agree to do a future job for me, I might share the cure for Asura Effect."
"Fine. I'll wait." Avid was disappointed at not reaching a deal with the Joker but wasn't entirely disheartened. Perhaps he could find another way to save the child.
"Until we meet again, Avid Chernovich. Ejin Somas," the Joker said, turning to leave.
At that moment, a figure burst through the reinforced concrete wall. The cloaked man stepped into the room, his amethyst eyes locking onto the Joker's white-masked face. Time seemed to freeze as their gazes met.
"Nice to meet you, Joker. Batman's here to catch you."
"Batman? You're just a blyat man at best."